Free Marked by Hades by Reese Monroe Page B

Sadie made their way into the kitchen, Yvonne staring at their obvious intense friendship. Not to mention the simple gesture of holding hands.
    People took that for granted.
    “You hungry, too, Yvonne?” Sadie asked as she rummaged through the fridge.
    Dasha sagged onto a chair and let out a long sigh. “Flights from Phoenix to France…way too long. Especially with a screaming child one seat back.”
    “You’re…human?” Yvonne asked.
    “One hundred percent human.” She grinned, but her jade eyes were tired, darkened. “So, you’re a demon, huh?”
    “Was,” Sadie interjected as she set a plate of sandwiches on the center of the table.
    Dasha and Yvonne both grabbed one. “You really can ash things with those hands of yours?”
    “Boy, Halena told you a lot.” Sadie joined them at the table. “I’m so glad you’re here.”
    “I called Halena to pick me up at the airport…didn’t want to bother you.” She slapped Sadie’s hand. “And where else would I be other than with my bestie, especially after what happened with Theo?”
    Sadie flinched.
    “What the hell happened?” Dasha asked.
    Yvonne was glad Dasha brought that up, because she wanted to know as well but didn’t know how to broach the subject. Theo had seemed utterly undefeatable since the second she’d seen him. To think he was bested and then taken shocked her.
    “Wicked fight with a pack of demons. They were expecting us.” Sadie glanced at Yvonne. “Hordes of them.”
    “You were looking for something of this Aggie demon’s?” Yvonne asked.
    “Total amnesia, huh?” Dasha gulped her soda.
    Sadie nodded and said, “Long story short. Your former lover demon, Aggie, was planning on overthrowing Lucifer and found a few toys—which are really called Artifacts—to help with that endeavor.” She shook her head. “We thought we’d found where he’d hidden the Thata, but we were tricked. Big time. That sucker is long gone. As are all the clues as to where the others are, or where Theo is.”
    “And you think I know where this Thata thing and the other Artifacts are since I was once with Aggie?” Yvonne tapped her head.
    “I think you know exactly what’s going on.” Sadie clicked her phone as she talked. “Just don’t know how to retrieve it. But maybe Halena has some ideas how to crack into that noggin of yours.”
    “She won’t help me.”
    “Not you, but she’ll help me get Theo back. Because if she doesn’t, the United States will fall into turmoil without its Gatekeeper and…” Her voice trailed off, and she glanced at Dasha.
    “What?” Yvonne asked.
    “If she doesn’t, and Theo dies…Justin will die along with him.”
    …
    “Just try it.” Sadie’s voice trickled into Justin’s awareness. “Go on.”
    “No. I’ll kill him.”
    “You won’t. Remember what I told you. I could hold the Mavet before I mated Theo. The Great One protects Mates. They’re the most sacred thing. You won’t kill him.”
    “Trust her, girl. Sadie’s wicked smart.”
    Was that Dasha’s voice?
    Justin opened his eyes. Dasha, Sadie, and Yvonne stood at the foot of his bed. Yvonne had changed into blue jeans and a T-shirt.
    Wait. No protective leather.
    “Feeling better at all?” Yvonne asked as she stepped closer. “Hungry? I could get you some more food.”
    “No. Stay away from me. Where are your gloves?”
    Dasha crossed her eyes at him. “Back to being a jerk again, huh, J?” She smacked his foot as she shook her head. He hadn’t seen Sadie’s best friend in a while.
    “What are you doing here?” he asked.
    “Missed your charm.”
    Sadie tugged Dasha away. “It’s winter break, and she’s here for moral support for me. Come on, Dash.”
    The door clicked shut, and Justin returned his focus to Yvonne.
    She cleared her throat as she sat on the edge of the bed. “To answer your question, we sent out for new leather. Mine got trashed fighting Halena. But I call dibs on your jacket once that’s cleaned